A pastor and his wife have fled Iran after the final appeal against a 15-year combined prison sentence failed. They are reported to be in a safe location.
Pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz was sentenced in July 2017 to ten years in prison for ‘acting against national security’ by organising and conducting house church services. Shamiram Issavi received a sentence of five years in January 2018, for ‘acting against national security’ by organising small groups, attending a seminary abroad and training church leaders and pastors to act as ‘spies’.
On 11 August, Shamiram Issavi was summoned to present herself at Tehran’s Shahid Moghadas Court, within the Evin prison compound, within five days to commence her sentence, or face arrest.
